Post by Salem6 on Jan 13, 2008 13:09:14 GMT
Serie A Week 18 - 12/1/08 (19.30 UK)
Catania 1 - 1 Juventus
Spinesi 16 (C), Del Piero pen 91 (J)
Stadio Massimino
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Alessandro Del Piero's stoppage-time spot-kick prevented Juventus' first defeat at Catania in 43 years after Gionatha Spinesi's splendid volley.
This fixture had not been played in Serie A since a 2-0 away win on November 20, 1983, but a Catania victory stretched even further back - to September 1964! Juventus were hoping to continue that trend and their assault on the Scudetto along with it, but Mauro Camoranesi, Jonathan Zebina and Jorge Andrade remained on the treatment table. Former Bianconeri midfielder Davide Baiocco missed the reunion, sitting out a ban alongside Gennaro Sardo.
It was a very special match for Claudio Ranieri, who played for Catania for two seasons and helped them to promotion in 1983. Curiously, he was playing the last time these two teams met here!
Catania got off to a strong start as Vargas' fierce left-foot strike shook the side-netting, but Nicola Legrottaglie nodded a corner just over the bar too. The Bianconeri had a period of pressure with a series of set plays, but the Sicilians took the lead.
Gionatha Spinesi scored a cracking goal, as he sprung the offside trap to volley in Giuseppe Mascara's cross with the outside of his right foot. There were suspicions of offside, but no doubts about the quality of the finish under the bar from six yards.
Alessandro Del Piero was incorrectly flagged offside when one-on-one with Ciro Polito from David Trezeguet's through ball, then Polito got a hand to another Del Piero effort - this time stopped correctly for offside.
It was a very open game and Biagianti's stop and volley was charged down bravely by Legrottaglie's face. Tension increased before the break when Giorgio Chiellini had penalty appeals for a clash with Vargas as a free kick was floated in.
Tiago Mendes' horrible mistake allowed Spinesi to run on goal and some more brave defending saw the finish deflected over the bar. Trezeguet wasted a good chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time, as he anticipated Pavel Nedved to nod Del Piero's cross wide. Hasan Salihamidzic also turned a header over from a Del Piero free kick.
Marco Marchionni replaced Tiago for the second half, moving Nedved to central midfield. Del Piero combined with Nedved, but the Czech's pass for Marchionni was over-hit.
A spectacular Del Piero overhead kick from Marchionni's cross was not far over the crossbar, but Mascara had a good chance smothered by Buffon. Del Piero aimed a looping header inches past the far post from Cristiano Zanetti's cross, as Juve were laying siege to the Catania net.
Nedved's volley was charged down by Christian Silvestri and another Del Piero header threatened. Catania were under pressure, but introduced star striker Martinez for a trident attack.
Raffaele Palladino replaced Nedved, but he wasted a golden opportunity when Polito missed the ball and the Under-21 international ballooned over the bar.
Vincenzo Iaquinta was the final gamble to get a point from the Stadio Massimino, so Catania striker Mascara turned into a makeshift defender to clear Del Piero's cross off the head of an unmarked Iaquinta.
Trezeguet turned a header into the ground that bounced off target, while at the other end Martinez drilled just wide from distance.
With 30 seconds left of normal time, Palladino sparked a counter and Del Piero was tripped from behind by Biagianti, although it is possible he might've got a touch to the ball. The referee pointed to the spot. Curiously, last season Polito saved a penalty from Del Piero when he was with Serie B side Pescara. Alex stepped up and sent Polito the wrong way to draw Juventus level.
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Catania: Polito; Silvestri, Terlizzi, Stovini, Vargas; Edusei, Izco, Biagianti; Colucci (Martinez 67), Mascara, Spinesi (Tedesco 88)
Juventus: Buffon; Molinaro, Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic (Iaquinta 81); Nocerino, Tiago (Marchionni 46), Zanetti, Nedved (Palladino 76); Del Piero, Trezeguet
Ref: Rocchi
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